Kathmandu — Instagram’s latest version 382.0.0.49.84, which rolled out globally on the evening of May 28, 2025, has finally resolved the excessive Battery Drain issue plaguing Google Pixel phones. According to an official Android Help post, Google confirmed that Instagram itself was the root cause, urging all affected users to update immediately.
Tech media outlets like The Verge and 9to5Google reported that the bug affected Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 models, causing devices to drain battery 4–5 times faster than usual and, in some cases, overheat. Google revealed that the issue began after the May OTA update and was caused by Instagram’s background activity triggering high CPU usage.
What happened and who’s affected?
- The battery drain issue was isolated to Instagram and affected Pixel models 6 through 9.
- It began after the May system update.
- Instagram was consuming excessive power by keeping the CPU awake in the background.
- It’s still unclear whether brands like Samsung, OnePlus, or Xiaomi are impacted.
- Meta has stated that additional tests are ongoing for other Android devices.
What should users do?
To fix the battery drain issue, users must:
- Open Google Play Store
- Go to My Apps → Update all
- Or manually check that Instagram version 382.0.0.49.84 is installed (via App Info).
Once updated, Instagram reportedly reconfigured its app to reduce background wake-lock time, now better aligned with Android’s power management protocols.
While Google Pixel phones are not officially sold in Nepal, their popularity is rising due to gray-market imports and tech-savvy users living abroad. With Instagram being essential for fintech apps, creators, and camera users, Nepali Pixel users are strongly advised to update immediately to restore normal battery life and prevent overheating.
